First Mayor Getting His Face On Spruced-up `Gateway` Bridge

FORT LAUDERDALE -- Marshall Bridge, called the ``gateway to Riverwalk`` by residents in surrounding neighborhoods, is not only going to receive a facelift. It`s going to receive a new face.

On Friday morning, a mural of the bridge`s namesake, William Marshall, will be placed on the outside north wall of the bridge-tender`s booth.

Marshall, the city`s first mayor, served from 1911 to 1915.

The mural, painted on ceramic tile by artist Bruce Yodanis, is the second step in an ambitious plan to bring the bridge up to snuff.

Last year the residents got together, bought coral-colored paint and changed the color of the formerly iron-gray bridge that spans the New River from Southwest Fourth to Seventh avenues.

Neighbors from Tarpon River and Sailboat Bend talked for three years about sprucing it up to rival the revitalized Southeast Third Avenue bridge, but the effort stalled.

Finally, residents organized and persuaded Broward County to paint the portion over the water, while they took care of the approaches.

Yodanis, an airbrush artist, came up with the idea for the 6-by-8-foot mural, and donated his services. The tile also was donated, and DeGroot Studios will fire the tile. A craftsman from Philadelphia Flooring International will put the mural in place.

Thomas Tobin, spokesman for the Tarpon River Civic Association, said the timing of the mural placement is no accident.

``We are rushing to get the mural up so the bridge will look nice for the opening of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts at the end of the month,`` he said.

The arts center`s opening night is Feb. 26.

Also planned is a $180,000 renovation of the bridgetender`s house with tile roof and stucco cupola, a new observation deck and decorative lighting. Stripes of rose also will be painted on the bridge.

Residents stand short of the cost, but said they are talking with contractors to give discount prices and local firms to contribute cash.